Discover in this Elhée blog article the power of the silicone training cup! And how it can help you with your child's fine motor skill development.
On the agenda: discovering key stages in the development of this essential skill, as well as recommended activities to unlock your child’s full potential.
Next, we’ll take a closer look at the revolutionary role of the training cup in helping young children build independence. Ready? Let’s go.
CONTENTS:
- What is fine motor skill?
- The stages of fine motor skill
- Objectives of fine motor skill
- Activities that develop fine motor skill
- How the silicone training cup develops your child’s fine motor skill and autonomy
- A silicone training cup is flexible and easy to grip
- Baby can use a silicone training cup without an adult's help
- Using a silicone training cup is safe for your baby
- In summary
What is fine motor skill?
Fine motor skill refers to the coordination and control of the small muscles in the hands, fingers, and wrists, enabling precise and delicate movement. It involves the ability to handle objects, use “tools,” write, draw, button clothing, do puzzles, and any activity that requires fine coordination.
It is therefore different from gross motor skill, which refers to the coordination and control of the larger muscles of the body for broader, more general movements such as walking, running, jumping, and climbing.
The stages of fine motor skill
The stages of fine motor skill can vary from child to child depending on their developmental progress, but here are the main key stages that are identified:
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Palmar grasp
In the first months of life, infants have an instinctive palmar grasp, where they hold objects in their palm. For example, if you slide your finger into your baby’s little hand, you’ll notice a very strong gripping reflex right from birth!
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Pincer grasp
Around 9 to 12 months old, babies begin to develop what is called the pincer grasp. They start to use their thumb and forefinger to pick up objects more precisely, much like an adult or older child, even if they aren’t successful every time with the object they are after. These misses can actually lead to frustration or anger… which is completely normal, rest assured!
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Hand-eye coordination
Throughout childhood, children learn to coordinate their eye movements with their hand movements. "Aiming" is for instance a hand-eye coordination activity that we all perform daily without even noticing…
- You learned to aim when you throw a piece of paper in the trash.
- You aim when you tie your shoelaces.
- You also aim your hand toward the handle when you open a door.
These very natural actions require a much bigger effort from a baby! They require a certain mastery that is gradually acquired through learning and time.
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Control of fine movements
As children grow, they develop better coordination of the small muscles in their hands, allowing them to perform increasingly delicate and precise activities. Soon, your child too will be able to unscrew a cap on their own or fit a key into a lock! Of course, this increase in skills also requires even greater parental vigilance…
Objectives of fine motor skill
Fine motor skill serves many purposes. Practicing it every day by creating a supportive environment—for example, by using the right equipment and allowing your baby to explore on their own, safely (Montessori method)—helps develop hand-eye coordination.
Fine motor activities also help strengthen the muscles in the hands, fingers, and wrists, which is important for actions like writing, handling objects, cutting, gluing, etc.
By developing fine motor skill, children acquire skills that help them become more independent in their everyday activities.
Activities that develop fine motor skill
Some of the best-known activities for developing fine motor skill include:
- Puzzles and building toys,
- Drawing, painting, and coloring,
- Cutting with child-safe scissors,
- Modeling clay or salt dough,
- Sorting and pouring games (rice, corn, beads, sand, leaves, etc.) under adult supervision,
- Stringing bead necklaces,
- Etc.
All these activities are fun ways you can offer your baby to develop their fine motor skills in a playful way.
But did you know that many everyday actions also play an important role? For example, you can encourage your child to button and unbutton their clothes when getting dressed. Or offer them the chance to put on their own shoes without your help. Or, invite them to eat and drink on their own like a big kid!
How the silicone training cup develops your child’s fine motor skill and autonomy
When it comes to drinking, the training cup is a valuable ally that allows your child to smoothly transition from bottle to cup.
A silicone training cup is flexible and easy to grip
Silicone is a very flexible and malleable material, making the cup easy to hold without slipping. This is convenient for your baby's little hands, who can independently pick up their training cup and thus improve their dexterity.
Baby can use a silicone training cup without an adult's help
Some training cups can be used without an adult’s help. If it has a leak-proof spout, your baby can drink on their own, for example in bed or on a stroll in the stroller, without getting soaked from head to toe.
Also, if the training cup is made of silicone, it won’t break if it falls and will not put your child at risk of injury.
Using a silicone training cup is safe for your baby
At Elhée, we offer you the chance to discover bottles and silicone training cups, all guaranteed free of microplastic particles, making them a safe choice for your baby.
All our products are as flexible as they are soft! They will protect your little one’s sensitive gums while providing the best possible comfort.
In summary
- The training cup plays a key role in fine motor skill development. Working on fine motor skills is crucial for improving coordination and control of a child’s small muscles. This allows them to perform more precise movements and become more skillful.
- Certain activities, like coloring or simply learning to get dressed, help develop fine motor skills further—just like the chosen equipment does. For example, a silicone training cup is very effective for boosting babies’ independence and teaching them to do things on their own without help from a caregiver.
- The flexibility and easy-to-grip surface of a training cup made from silicone are ideal for little hands. Plus, these little bottles are guaranteed BPA- and phthalate-free.
→ Thank you for reading this article!
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